Jarrah Legal provides independent legal advice for binding financial agreements for a fixed fee of $990 + GST — including a full review of your agreement, written advice and your signed solicitor's certificate, with a 24-hour turnaround. It is part of our fixed fee binding financial agreements service for clients across Australia.
The service is fully online, so it doesn't matter where in Australia you are, and you deal directly with an experienced family lawyer from start to finish. If you don't have an agreement yet, our binding financial agreement drafting service can prepare one for you.
We generally respond within 2 business hours.
How much does independent legal advice for a binding financial agreement cost?
Independent legal advice on a binding financial agreement costs a fixed fee of $990 + GST at Jarrah Legal. That single price covers everything you need to satisfy the independent legal advice requirement for your agreement:
| Service | Fixed fee | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Independent legal advice + solicitor's certificate | $990 + GST | Full review of your agreement, written legal advice, signed solicitor's certificate, witnessing of your signature, 24-hour turnaround |
Fixed fee means exactly that: the fee is confirmed in writing before we start, there is no hourly billing and there are no hidden costs. If your circumstances ever require work beyond the standard scope, we will quote it — and you can approve it — before anything proceeds.
One thing to plan for: the fee covers independent legal advice for one party. For a binding financial agreement to be binding, each party generally must receive their own independent legal advice from a separate lawyer — so your partner will need to engage their own lawyer for their advice and certificate. That is a legal requirement, not an upsell.
Why choose this service?
- Our fee is fixed, no surprises, no hidden costs.
- Fast, efficient and reliable service.
- We provide you with a Costs Disclosure as required under the Uniform Law.
- We provide you with our written advice within 24 hours of you providing the agreement to be reviewed.
- We will provide you with our signed Solicitor's Certificate.
- We will witness your signing the agreement online, or if required, in person.
- You can request additional services if you require.
Why independent legal advice is required
A binding financial agreement is generally only binding if it meets the requirements of section 90G of the Family Law Act 1975. Among other things, each party must have received independent legal advice about the effect of the agreement on their rights and its advantages and disadvantages, and each lawyer must sign a statement confirming that advice was given — the solicitor's certificate.
This is why free templates typically fall short: without independent legal advice and certificates for both parties, an agreement is generally liable to be set aside. Proper advice is what turns a signed document into a binding financial agreement.
How our fixed fee process works
- Enquire online — send us an enquiry through our secure contact form. We generally respond within 2 business hours.
- Send us your agreement — provide a copy of the agreement securely online, and we confirm your fixed fee in writing.
- Written advice within 24 hours — an experienced family lawyer reviews your agreement and provides written independent legal advice, answering any questions you have.
- Certificate and witnessing — we sign your solicitor's certificate and witness your signing of the agreement online, or in person if required.
Frequently asked questions
How much does independent legal advice for a binding financial agreement cost?
Jarrah Legal charges a fixed fee of $990 + GST. It includes a full review of your agreement, written advice, your signed solicitor's certificate and witnessing of your signature, with a 24-hour turnaround.
Is the fixed fee really fixed?
Yes. The fee is confirmed in writing upfront, together with a Costs Disclosure as required under the Uniform Law. If anything beyond the standard scope is ever needed, it is quoted before any work proceeds.
Does my partner need their own lawyer?
Generally, yes. For the agreement to be binding, each party must receive independent legal advice from separate lawyers, and each lawyer must sign a certificate. We can only act for one of you.
How quickly can I get my solicitor's certificate?
We provide our written advice within 24 hours of receiving your agreement for review. Your signed solicitor's certificate follows once the advice has been given and the agreement is signed and witnessed.
Can you review an agreement drafted by another firm?
Yes. Most of our clients have an agreement prepared by their partner's lawyer or another firm and need independent legal advice and a certificate to complete it. This includes a prenuptial agreement, postnuptial agreement or separation agreement.
We generally respond within 2 business hours.